Gov Chime Bemoans Neglect Of Schools Sports

Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State has identified the neglect of Schools sports over the years in Nigeria as the cause of the nation’s persistent dwindling fortunes in international competitive sports.

The Governor stated this in his address during the flag-off of the 2012 school sports festival in the State at ultra modern multi-million Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium, Enugu.

He noted that it was worrisome that even when reputed as being one of the biggest havens of sporting talents in the world, Nigeria has not been able to exploit these potentials to put the country in the upper echelon of top sporting nations of the world.

Chime who was represented by his Deputy, Sunday Onyebuchi, further said that the State government, after a critical review of the state of affairs in sports sector and the need for the state to reassert itself in the world of sports, decided to revive the school sports system.

His words: “It is our expectation that the talents that would be discovered through the festival would become the leading lights of the country”.

The governor therefore thanked the organisers of the festival especially the Ministry of Youths and Sports for successfully turning of the aspirations of the government in the sports sector into reality.

Governor Chime also pledged his administration’s readiness to ensure that the festival would not only be sustained but improved upon until the state achieves the status of a model as far as sports development is actualised.

Earlier in an address, the state commissioner for Youths and Sports Hon. Chijioke Agu, described sports as a veritable tool for social development, youth empowerment and job creation,and commended Governor Sullivan Chime for reviving schools sports after 20 years of oblivion.

According to him, secondary schools in the state have been mandated by the state government to commence schools sports competition at the zonal levels, adding that the 856 athletes selected from the zones had come to compete at the state level.

He also noted that the competition would lead to the discovery of talents to represent the state at future national and international competitions.

In a brief remark, the state commissioner for education, Dr Simon Ortuanya noted that education has fully been restored in the state as evidenced in the provision of teaching materials and vehicles to facilitate teaching and learning as well as development of students physical aspect by the reviewing of schools sports.

The highlight of the event was the lightening of the sports festival touch by Atama Justus who handed same to Oha Linda.